Equal to the Apostles Empress Saint Helen (also Helena and Elena) (AD c.248 - c.329) was the mother of Emperor Saint Constantine the Great. She was probably born in Drepanum (afterwards re-named Helenopolis) on the Gulf of Nicomedia and allegedly the daughter of an innkeeper. Later legend, mentioned by Geoffrey of Monmouth, claimed that she was a daughter of Briton King Coel, who married her off to Constantius Chlorus I to avoid more war between the Britons and Rome. Monmouth further states that she was brought up in the manner of a queen, as she had no brothers to inherit the throne of Britain.

Constantius Chlorus divorced her (circa 292) to marry the step-daughter of Maximian, Theodora. Helen's son, Constantine later became emperor of the Roman Empire, and following his elevation she became a presence at the imperial court.